Dr. Farzad Pour Rahimian

Guild Research Fellow

Dr. Pour Rahimian is an expert in architecture, integrated design, virtual-reality programming for automation and simulation of design and offsite-manufactured-construction, BIM, and virtual prototyping. He is a first class registered architect in Iran and member of CIB TG74 and W119. He has considerable research and practice experience in IT integrated architectural design (reported in more than 65 refereed articles). He has also been involved in several PhD and master's students’ supervision.

Full Profile

Dr. Farzad Pour Rahimian is a Senior Research Fellow in Construction (full-time permanent appointment; started from April 2013) with a strong record of research and more than 65 quality publications (journal articles/conference papers/monographs/book chapters/reports etc) especially in the areas of integration of modern business models into core construction practice (design, delivery, occupancy/through life, and decommissioning), adaptation of integrated Architecture-Engineering-Construction interfaces (through Building Information Modelling) and ICT supported collaborative technologies, the themes of which are underpinned by mainstream sustainability drivers. He obtained his PhD in the field of Integrated Digital Architectural Studies from University Putra Malaysia in November 2009, and continues to work on the type of research, which embraces: Architecture, Integrated Design, BIM, Virtual-Reality Programming for Automation and Simulation of Design and Offsite-Manufactured-Construction, and Virtual Prototyping.

As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK (REF: PR079813), Farzad has an extensive experience of delivering high-level teaching and curriculum design at various institutes and different countries. During his career, he has delivered more than 20 Built Environment related modules, and contributed to development of curricula for quite a few crucial modules, the most important of which are the Advanced Construction Technology (BN4400) at UCLan and the Integrated Product Design Studio (RSB5610) at University Putra Malaysia, and delivery of it for the first time in the country.

Farzad is also a key member of CIB TG74 (a Task Group set up specifically to look at "New Production and Business Models in Construction"). Prior to starting his current position at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Farzad worked as a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at University Putra Malaysia (2012-2013), and Research Associate in Construction Management and Economics at UCLan (2010- 2012). In Malaysia, he played a leading role in developing UPM’s Sustainable Design Informatics research group, which has strong links/collaboration with major international universities, including Stanford, Maryland and NUS. During his previous RA role in UCLan, Farzad played a significant role in the programming and development of a BIM based Offsite Construction Site Simulator—an extension to the work-package 10 of ManuBuild (Open Building Manufacturing Project, EU Sixth Framework Programme).

Farzad is the Co-Editor of ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research (Published by MIT) and has acted as Guest Editor for a special issue in the Journal of Construction Innovation (Emerald). He also contributes as reviewer and EAB member for various world flagship journals, and has been engaged in high-level scientific committees. Since joining UCLan in April 2013, Farzad, has actively been involved supervising 3 PhD students, more than 10 MSc dissertations and has prepared more than 9 research proposals for different funding bodies, including EU Horizon 2020, NPRP of the QNRF, TSB, UKIERI etc, some of which have been successfully shortlisted for the consideration of Prioritising Committee Members and the results will be announced soon. These biding activities directly align and support UoA C16 activity in UCLan Research Excellence Framework submission, of which Farzad was recently submitted.

Farzad is a formal member of the Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD), the theme of which is pioneering international sustainability research in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sectors. CSD’s critical mass of expertise and knowledge base provides a crucial role in Farzad’s research projects, as it is leading in the sustainability agenda at local, national and international levels. CSD is a world-class partner of choice for government bodies, industries and universities on environmental, sustainable and energy research. Key drivers include delivering sustainability research in relation to: i) sustainable consumption and production, ii) climate change and energy; iii) natural resources protection and environment enhancement; iv) developing sustainable communities.

Farzad was featured in the Winter 2016 edition of BreakThrough magazine talking about being a Guild Research Fellow and about his research into Integrated Architectural Design (Pages 10 - 13).

Research

Development of the VR Construction Site Simulator for Offsite Manufacturing Construction, Extension of WP10, ManuBuild Project, Funded by EU FP6 Grant Scheme, University of Central Lancashire, UK, 2010-2012. Role: Project Team Member.

Development of Roadmap for New Production and Business Models in Construction: Priorities For the Future Research Agenda, CIB TG74 Research Workshop, University of Central Lancashire, 2010-2012. Role: Project Team Member.

January 2006-October 2006, Project Architect for design and construction of external façades of International Airport of Tabriz, Iran. Obtained the project as the winner of the design competition.

May 2005-November 2005, Project Architect for design and construction supervision of 3500m2 interior spaces for Main Hall of Bourse, Tabriz, Iran. Obtained the project as the winner of the design competition.

February 2004-September 2004, Project Architect for site development and façade renovation of over 10000m2 (design and construction supervision), Industrial Management Training Centre (Private University in Tabriz, Iran). Obtained the project as the winner of the design competition.

August 2003-March 2005, Founder of Three Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Data Centres for Islamic art University of Tabriz, Iran.

August 2003-January 2004, Programmer and developer of the First Website for the Islamic Art University of Tabriz, Iran.

June 2000- November 2000, Internship in Construction Supervision of Pars Hotel (5 Stars) as the most reputable hotel of the Region, Tabriz, Iran.

Conferences

Member of Organising and Scientific Committees of International Conferences

Member of International Scientific Committee of PPP Body of Knowledge International Conference 2013, 18-20 March 2013, Westleigh Conference Centre, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), the UK.

Member of Organising and Scientific Committees of the 2nd International Conference on Socio-Political and Technological Dimensions of Climate Change, November 19-21 2012, Hotel-Marriott Putrajaya, Co-Organised by University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Member of Organising and Scientific Committees of the Malaysian Architectural Education Conference, October 4-5 2012, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and advised by the Malaysian Council of Heads of Architecture Schools (COHAS).

Member of International Scientific Committee of Detailed Design in Architecture 10 conference (DDiA10), 27-28 October 2011, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University, Co-Organised by Istanbul Technical University, Turkey and Loughborough University, the UK.

Member of Organising and Scientific Committees of the 1st International Conference on Revisiting the Socio-Political and Technological Dimensions of Climate Change, 19-20 May 2011, Preston, University of Central Lancashire.

Member of Organising and Scientific Committees of the Detailed Design in Architecture 9 conference (DDiA9), 4-5 November 2010, Preston, University of Central Lancashire

Member of Organising and Scientific Committees of the Beauty in Islamic Art, 3-4 July 2006, Faculty of Architecture, Islamic Art University of Tabriz, Iran

Moderator of the International Seminar on Research Methodology in Design, FRSB, UPM, 2008.

Moderator of Session 2: Environmental Design Technologies and Systems Research Group at the International Seminar on Research Methodology in Design, FRSB, UPM, 2008.

Keynote Addresses at the Seminar for Using E-Databases and Electronic Journals for Scholarly Purposes, Islamic Art University of Tabriz, Iran, 2006.

Memberships

First-Class Charted Member of the Institute of Iranian Architects (Ref: 13-100-00136), Current Status Since September 2012 (First License in April 2006). Role: Architectural Designer and Construction Supervisor for all types of residential buildings. Eligibility through: Academic Qualification +Exam +Work experience

2010-Date, Member of CIB (International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction) TG74 Task Group - New Production and Business Models in Construction. Through: Invitation.

2010-Date, Member of CIB (International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction) W119 Task Group - Customised Industrial Construction. Through: Invitation.